Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a window, a display module on a rear surface of the window, and including a folding area, and a non-folding area adjacent to the folding area, and a protective cover on a rear surface of the display module, and including a cover portion configured to cover the folding area and the non-folding area of the display module, and holding portions extending in a first direction, or in a second direction crossing the first direction, from the cover portion, and protruding outside the display module when viewed in a plane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2020-0102602, filed on Aug. 14, 2020, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a display device having reduceddefects.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electronic devices, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a notebookcomputer, a smart television, etc., are being developed. The electronicdevices include a display device to provide information. The electronicdevices further include various electronic modules in addition to thedisplay device.

The electronic device is manufactured by assembling the display devicewith the electronic modules. In this case, the electronic modules areorganically arranged using an external case and a bracket.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a display device that is capable ofbeing protected from external impacts while being transferred in amanufacturing process of an electronic device.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display device includinga window, a display module on a rear surface of the window, andincluding a folding area, and a non-folding area adjacent to the foldingarea, and a protective cover on a rear surface of the display module,and including a cover portion configured to cover the folding area andthe non-folding area of the display module, and holding portionsextending in a first direction, or in a second direction crossing thefirst direction, from the cover portion, and protruding outside thedisplay module when viewed in a plane.

The window may include a thin film glass.

The non-folding area may include a first non-folding area and a secondnon-folding area, which are separated by the folding area, wherein thecover portion includes a first cover portion configured to support thefolding area and the first non-folding area of the display module, and asecond cover portion configured to support the second non-folding area.

The display module may further include a non-bending area including thefolding area and the non-folding area, and a bending area bent from thenon-bending area, wherein the second cover portion covers the bendingarea.

The first cover portion may include a first body portion connected tothe second cover portion, a first portion extending from the first bodyportion in a direction away from the second cover portion, and a secondportion extending from the first body portion in another directioncrossing the direction.

The first and second portions may have a bar shape, and may beperpendicular to each other when viewed in a plane.

The second portion may be configured to overlap the folding area.

The second cover portion may include a second body portion connected tothe first cover portion, and configured to cover the second non-foldingarea, and an arm portion extending in a direction crossing the secondbody portion, and configured to cover a portion of the bending area.

The second cover portion may further include a sidewall portionextending from the arm portion, and configured to cover a remainingportion of the bending area.

The holding portions may include a first holding portion coupled to thefirst portion, and second holding portions coupled to the secondportion.

The holding portions may include a third holding portion extending fromthe arm portion in a direction away from the second body portion.

The holding portions may be bent from the cover portion, and may beconfigured to cover a portion of a side surface of the display module.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display device includinga folding area, a first non-folding area adjacent to the folding area, asecond non-folding area adjacent to the folding area, a window, adisplay module on a rear surface of the window, and including anon-bending area, and a bending area bent from the non-bending area, afirst release film on the window, a second release film under thedisplay module, and a protective cover under the second release film,and including a first cover portion configured to support the foldingarea and the first non-folding area, a second cover portion extendingfrom the first cover portion, and configured to support the secondnon-folding area and the bending area of the display module, and holdingportions respectively coupled to the first cover portion and the secondcover portion.

The display device may further include adhesive members between thefirst and second release films, outside the display module, andconfigured to attach the first and second release films.

The second release film may include a first portion overlapping thefirst non-folding area, a second portion overlapping the secondnon-folding area, and a third portion overlapping the folding area,wherein the protective cover further includes an adhesive memberattached to the third portion.

A cutting line may be defined between the first portion and the thirdportion, and between the second portion and the third portion.

The first cover portion may include a first portion on a lower surfaceof the first portion of the second release film, and extending in afirst direction, and a second portion on a lower surface of the thirdportion of the second release film, extending in a second directioncrossing the first direction, and including the adhesive member.

The second portion may expose a portion of the first non-folding areaand the bending area.

The second cover portion may cover the bending area and the exposedportion of the second non-folding area, and may be spaced apart from thedisplay module in a thickness direction.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display device includinga window, a display module on a rear surface of the window, andincluding a folding area, and a non-folding area adjacent to the foldingarea, and a protective cover on a rear surface of the display module,and including a cover portion covering the folding area and thenon-folding area of the display module, and holding portions extendingin a first direction, or in a second direction crossing the firstdirection, from the cover portion, protruding outside the display modulewhen viewed in a plane, and connected to each other outside the displaymodule.

According to the above, the display device includes the cover portion,which entirely covers the display module, and the holding portions, andthus, the components including the window and the display module areeffectively protected from the external impacts during a manufacturingprocess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will becomereadily apparent by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an electronic deviceaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an electronic deviceaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a display panel according to someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing a display unit according tosome embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view showing a display unit according tosome embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a display deviceaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a protective cover according tosome embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a display device according to someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a rear view showing a display device according to someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A to 8D are cross-sectional views showing a display deviceaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a protective cover according toother embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9B is a plan view showing a display device according to otherembodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a view showing a transfer tray according to some embodimentsof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of some embodiments of the present disclosure and methods ofaccomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference tothe detailed description of embodiments and the accompanying drawings.Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in more detail with referenceto the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments, however, may beembodied in various different forms, and should not be construed asbeing limited to only the illustrated embodiments herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the aspects of the presentdisclosure to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, processes,elements, and techniques that are not necessary to those having ordinaryskill in the art for a complete understanding of the aspects of thepresent disclosure may not be described.

Unless otherwise noted, like reference numerals, characters, orcombinations thereof denote like elements throughout the attacheddrawings and the written description, and thus, descriptions thereofwill not be repeated. Further, parts not related to the description ofthe embodiments might not be shown to make the description clear.

In the drawings, the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions maybe exaggerated for clarity. Additionally, the use of cross-hatchingand/or shading in the accompanying drawings is generally provided toclarify boundaries between adjacent elements. As such, neither thepresence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys orindicates any preference or requirement for particular materials,material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalities betweenillustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic, attribute,property, etc., of the elements, unless specified.

Various embodiments are described herein with reference to sectionalillustrations that are schematic illustrations of embodiments and/orintermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of theillustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniquesand/or tolerances, are to be expected. Further, specific structural orfunctional descriptions disclosed herein are merely illustrative for thepurpose of describing embodiments according to the concept of thepresent disclosure. Thus, embodiments disclosed herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions,but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance,manufacturing.

For example, an implanted region illustrated as a rectangle will,typically, have rounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implantconcentration at its edges rather than a binary change from implanted tonon-implanted region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantationmay result in some implantation in the region between the buried regionand the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, theregions illustrated in the drawings are schematic in nature and theirshapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of adevice and are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, as thoseskilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may bemodified in various different ways, all without departing from thespirit or scope of the present disclosure.

In the detailed description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding ofvarious embodiments. It is apparent, however, that various embodimentsmay be practiced without these specific details or with one or moreequivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring various embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,”“above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofexplanation to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or in operation, in additionto the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the devicein the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or“beneath” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented“above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below”and “under” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein shouldbe interpreted accordingly. Similarly, when a first part is described asbeing arranged “on” a second part, this indicates that the first part isarranged at an upper side or a lower side of the second part without thelimitation to the upper side thereof on the basis of the gravitydirection.

Further, in this specification, the phrase “on a plane,” or “plan view,”means viewing a target portion from the top, and the phrase “on across-section” means viewing a cross-section formed by verticallycutting a target portion from the side.

It will be understood that when an element, layer, region, or componentis referred to as being “formed on,” “on,” “connected to,” or “coupledto” another element, layer, region, or component, it can be directlyformed on, on, connected to, or coupled to the other element, layer,region, or component, or indirectly formed on, on, connected to, orcoupled to the other element, layer, region, or component such that oneor more intervening elements, layers, regions, or components may bepresent. For example, when a layer, region, or component is referred toas being “electrically connected” or “electrically coupled” to anotherlayer, region, or component, it can be directly electrically connectedor coupled to the other layer, region, or component or interveninglayers, regions, or components may be present. However, “directlyconnected/directly coupled” refers to one component directly connectingor coupling another component without an intermediate component.Meanwhile, other expressions describing relationships between componentssuch as “between,” “immediately between” or “adjacent to” and “directlyadjacent to” may be construed similarly. In addition, it will also beunderstood that when an element or layer is referred to as being“between” two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layerbetween the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elementsor layers may also be present.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”“third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another element, component, region, layer orsection. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or sectiondescribed below could be termed a second element, component, region,layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

In the examples, the x-axis, the y-axis, and/or the z-axis are notlimited to three axes of a rectangular coordinate system, and may beinterpreted in a broader sense. For example, the x-axis, the y-axis, andthe z-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may representdifferent directions that are not perpendicular to one another. The sameapplies for first, second, and/or third directions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentdisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intendedto include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises,” “comprising,” “have,” “having,” “includes,” and“including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence ofthe stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” “approximately,” andsimilar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms ofdegree, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations inmeasured or calculated values that would be recognized by those ofordinary skill in the art. “About” or “approximately,” as used herein,is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range ofdeviation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinaryskill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the errorassociated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., thelimitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” may meanwithin one or more standard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% ofthe stated value. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodimentsof the present disclosure refers to “one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure.”

When one or more embodiments may be implemented differently, a specificprocess order may be performed differently from the described order. Forexample, two consecutively described processes may be performedsubstantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to thedescribed order.

The electronic or electric devices and/or any other relevant devices orcomponents according to embodiments of the present disclosure describedherein may be implemented utilizing any suitable hardware, firmware(e.g. an application-specific integrated circuit), software, or acombination of software, firmware, and hardware. For example, thevarious components of these devices may be formed on one integratedcircuit (IC) chip or on separate IC chips. Further, the variouscomponents of these devices may be implemented on a flexible printedcircuit film, a tape carrier package (TCP), a printed circuit board(PCB), or formed on one substrate.

Further, the various components of these devices may be a process orthread, running on one or more processors, in one or more computingdevices, executing computer program instructions and interacting withother system components for performing the various functionalitiesdescribed herein. The computer program instructions are stored in amemory which may be implemented in a computing device using a standardmemory device, such as, for example, a random access memory (RAM). Thecomputer program instructions may also be stored in other non-transitorycomputer readable media such as, for example, a CD-ROM, flash drive, orthe like. Also, a person of skill in the art should recognize that thefunctionality of various computing devices may be combined or integratedinto a single computing device, or the functionality of a particularcomputing device may be distributed across one or more other computingdevices without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodimentsof the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/orthe present specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealizedor overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an electronic device EDaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A shows an unfolded state of the electronic device ED, and FIG. 1Bshows a folded state of the electronic device ED.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the electronic device ED may include adisplay surface DS defined by a first direction DR1 and a seconddirection DR2 crossing the first direction DR1. The electronic device EDmay provide an image IM to a user through the display surface DS.

The display surface DS may include a display area DA, and a non-displayarea NDA around the display area DA. The display area DA may display theimage IM, and the non-display area NDA might not display the image IM.The non-display area NDA may surround the display area DA. However, theshape of the display area DA and the non-display area NDA may be changedwithout being limited thereto or thereby.

Hereinafter, a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane definedby the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 may be referredto as a third direction DR3. In addition, the expression “when viewed ina plane” may mean a state of being viewed in the third direction DR3.Hereinafter, the first, second, and third directions DR1, DR2, and DR3are directions respectively indicated by first, second, and thirddirectional axes.

The electronic device ED may include a folding area FA and a pluralityof non-folding areas NFA1 and NFA2. The non-folding areas NFA1 and NFA2may include a first non-folding area NFA1 and a second non-folding areaNFA2. In the second direction DR2, the folding area FA may be locatedbetween the first non-folding area NFA1 and the second non-folding areaNFA2.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the folding area FA may be folded about a foldingaxis FX substantially parallel to the first direction DR1. The foldingarea FA may have a curvature (e.g., a predetermined curvature) and aradius of curvature (e.g., a predetermined radius of curvature). Theelectronic device ED may be inwardly folded (inner-folding) such thatthe first non-folding area NFA1 and the second non-folding areas NFA2face each other, and such that the display surface DS is not exposed tothe outside.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device EDmay be outwardly folded (outer-folding) such that the display surface DSis exposed to the outside. In some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the electronic device ED may be inwardly and outwardlyfolded in the unfolded state, however, it should not be limited theretoor thereby. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, theelectronic device ED may be operated in one of an unfolding operation,an inner-folding operation, and an outer-folding operation.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the electronic device EDaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the electronic device ED may include a displayunit DD, an electronic module EM, a power module PSM, and a case EDC1and EDC2. In some embodiments, the power module PSM may further includea mechanical structure to control the folding operation of the displayunit DD.

The display unit DD may generate an image and may sense an externalinput. The display unit DD may include a window WM and a display moduleDM. The window WM may provide a front surface of the electronic deviceED. The window WM may include a thin film glass. That is, the window WMmay have a thin thickness. For example, the window WM may have athickness that is equal to, or smaller than, about 30 um.

The display unit DD may serve as a component of the electronic deviceED.

The display module DM may include at least a display panel DP. In FIG. 2, the display module DM is shown as being the same as the display panelDP, however, the display module DM may be a stack structure in whichmultiple components are stacked.

The display panel DP may include a display area DP-DA and a non-displayarea DP-NDA, which respectively correspond to the display area DA (referto FIG. 1A) and the non-display area NDA (refer to FIG. 1A) of theelectronic device ED. In the present disclosure, the expression “anarea/portion corresponds to another area/portion” may mean that “anarea/portion overlaps another area/portion”, and the respective “areasand portions” should not be limited to have the same size as each other.The display module DM may include a driving chip DIC located on thenon-display area DP-NDA. The display module DM may further include aflexible circuit film FCB coupled to the non-display area DP-NDA.

The driving chip DIC may include driving elements, e.g., a data drivingcircuit, to drive pixels of the display panel DP. FIG. 2 shows astructure in which the driving chip DIC is mounted on the display panelDP, however, the present disclosure should not be limited thereto orthereby. For example, the driving chip DIC may be mounted on theflexible circuit film FCB.

The electronic module EM may include at least a main controller. Theelectronic module EM may include a wireless communication module, acamera module, a proximity sensor module, an image input module, anaudio input module, an audio output module, a memory, and an externalinterface module. The modules may be mounted on a circuit substrate ormay be electrically connected to each other through a flexible circuitboard. The electronic module EM may be electrically connected to thepower module PSM.

The main controller may control an overall operation of the electronicdevice ED. For example, the main controller may activate or deactivatethe display unit DD in response to a user's input. The main controllermay control an operation of the display unit DD and other modules. Themain controller may include at least one microprocessor.

The display module DM, the electronic module EM, and the power modulePSM may be accommodated in cases EDC1 and EDC2. In FIG. 2 , two casesEDC1 and EDC2 are shown to be separated from each other, however, theyshould not be limited thereto or thereby. In some embodiments, theelectronic device ED may further include a hinge structure to connectthe two cases EDC1 and EDC2 to each other. The cases EDC1 and EDC2 maybe connected to the window WM. The cases EDC1 and EDC2 may protect thedisplay module DM, the electronic module EM, and the power module PSM,which are accommodated therein.

FIG. 3A is a plan view showing the display panel DP according to someembodiments of the present disclosure, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional viewshowing the display unit DD according to some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view showing the displayunit DD according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the display panel DP may include the display areaDP-DA, and the non-display area DP-NDA around the display area DP-DA.The display area DP-DA and the non-display area DP-NDA may bedistinguished from each other depending on whether the pixels PX arearranged. The pixels PX may be located in the display area DP-DA. A scandriver SDV, a data driver, and an emission driver EDV may be located inthe non-display area DP-NDA. The data driver may serve as a circuit ofthe driving chip DIC shown in FIG. 3A.

The display panel DP may include a first area AA1, a second area AA2,and a bending area BA, which are distinct from each other in the seconddirection DR2. The second area AA2 and the bending area BA may beportions of the non-display area DP-NDA. The bending area BA may belocated between the first area AA1 and the second area AA2. The firstarea AA1 may be a non-bending area.

FIG. 3B shows the display panel DP in the unfolded state before beingfolded. When assuming that the display panel DP is installed in theelectronic device ED, the first area AA1 and the second area AA2 of thedisplay panel DP may be located on different planes from each other inthe unfolded state of the electronic device ED as shown in FIG. 1A. Thisis shown in FIG. 3C. The shape of the bending area BA will be describedlater with reference to FIG. 3C.

Referring to FIG. 3A again, the first area AA1 may correspond to thedisplay surface DS of FIG. 1A. The first area AA1 may include a firstnon-folding area NFA10, a second non-folding area NFA20, and a foldingarea FAO. The first non-folding area NFA10, the second non-folding areaNFA20, and the folding area FAO may correspond to the first non-foldingarea NFA1, the second non-folding area NFA2, and the folding area FA ofFIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively.

In the first direction DR1, the bending area BA and the second area AA2may have a length that is smaller than a length of the first area AA1.An area where a length in a bending axis direction is short may beeasily bent.

The display panel DP may include a plurality of pixels PX, a pluralityof scan lines SL1 to SLm, a plurality of data lines DL1 to DLn, aplurality of emission lines EU to ELm (“m” and “n” being naturalnumbers), first and second control lines CSL1 and CSL2, a power line PL,and a plurality of pads PD. The pixels PX may be connected to the scanlines SL1 to SLm, the data lines DL1 to DLn, and the emission lines EL1to ELm.

The scan lines SL1 to SLm may extend in the first direction DR1, and maybe connected to the scan driver SDV. The data lines DL1 to DLn mayextend in the second direction DR2, and may be connected to the drivingchip DIC while passing through the bending area BA. The emission linesEL1 to ELm may extend in the first direction DR1 and may be connected tothe emission driver EDV.

The power line PL may include a portion extending in the seconddirection DR2 and a portion extending in the first direction DR1. Theportion extending in the first direction DR1 and the portion extendingin the second direction DR2 may be located on different layers from eachother. The portion of the power line PL, which extends in the seconddirection DR2, may extend to the second area AA2 through the bendingarea BA. The power line PL may provide a first voltage to the pixels PX.

The first control line CSL1 may be connected to the scan driver SDV, andmay extend to a lower end of the second area AA2 through the bendingarea BA. The second control line CSL2 may be connected to the emissiondriver EDV, and may extend to a lower end of the second area AA2 throughthe bending area BA.

When viewed in a plane, the pads PD may be located adjacent to the lowerend of the second area AA2. The driving chip DIC, the power line PL, thefirst control line CSL1, and the second control line CSL2 may beconnected to the pads PD. The flexible circuit film FCB may beelectrically connected to the pads PD through an anisotropic conductiveadhesive layer.

Referring to FIGS. 3B and 3C, the display unit DD may include the windowWM and the display module DM (see FIG. 2 ).

The display module DM may include an optical film LF, the display panelDP, a panel protective layer PPL, a barrier layer BRL, a support layerPLT, a cover layer SCV, a heat dissipation layer, a cushion layer CUL,an insulating layer INL, a spacer SPC, a step difference compensationpattern CP and second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth,ninth, tenth, and eleventh adhesive layers AL2, AL3, AL4, AL5, AL6, AL7,AL8, AL9, AL10, and AL11. The second to eleventh adhesive layers AL2 toAL11 may include a transparent adhesive, such as a pressure sensitiveadhesive or an optically transparent adhesive. In some embodiments ofthe present disclosure, some components among the above-mentionedcomponents may be omitted. For instance, the step differencecompensation pattern CP and tenth and eleventh adhesive layers AL10 andAL11 associated with the step difference compensation pattern CP may beomitted.

The optical film LF may be located in the first area AA1 shown in FIG.3A. The optical film LF may cover at least the display area DP-DA. Theoptical film LF may be coupled to the window WM by the second adhesivelayer AL2, and the optical film LF may be coupled to the display panelDP by the third adhesive layer AL3.

The panel protective layer PPL may be located under the display panelDP. The panel protective layer PPL may protect a lower portion of thedisplay panel DP. The panel protective layer PPL may include a flexibleplastic material. For example, the panel protective layer PPL mayinclude polyethylene terephthalate. In some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the panel protective layer PPL might not be located in thebending area BA. The panel protective layer PPL may be coupled to thedisplay panel DP by the fourth adhesive layer AL4, and the panelprotective layer PPL may be coupled to the barrier layer BRL by thefifth adhesive layer AL5.

The panel protective layer PPL may include a first panel protectivelayer PPL-1 that protects the first area AA1 of the display panel DP anda second panel protective layer PPL-2 that protects the second area AA2of the display panel DP. When the bending area BA is bent, the secondpanel protective layer PPL-2 together with the second area AA2 may belocated under the first area AA1 and the first panel protective layerPPL-1. Because the panel protective layer PPL is not located in thebending area BA, the bending area BA may be more easily bent. The fourthadhesive layer AL4 may include a first portion AL4-1 corresponding tothe first panel protective layer PPL-1 and a second portion AL4-2corresponding to the second panel protective layer PPL-2.

The barrier layer BRL may be located under the panel protective layerPPL. The barrier layer BRL may increase a resistance against acompression force caused by an external press. Accordingly, the barrierlayer BRL may reduce or prevent deformation of the display panel DP. Thebarrier layer BRL may include a flexible plastic material, such aspolyimide or polyethylene terephthalate. In addition, the barrier layerBRL may be a colored film with low light transmittance. The barrierlayer BRL may absorb a light incident thereto from the outside. Forexample, the barrier layer BRL may be a black plastic film. When viewingthe display unit DD from the above of a window WM, components locatedunder the barrier layer BRL may be unseen by the user. The panelprotective layer PPL may be coupled to the barrier layer BRL by thefifth adhesive layer AL5, and the barrier layer BRL may be coupled tothe support layer PLT by the sixth adhesive layer AL6.

The support layer PLT may be located under the barrier layer BRL. Thesupport layer PLT may include a material having an elastic modulus thatis equal to, or greater than, about 60 GPa. The support layer PLT mayinclude a metal material, such as a stainless steel. For example, thesupport layer PLT may include stainless steel (e.g., SUS 304), however,it should not be limited thereto or thereby. The support layer PLT mayinclude a variety of metal materials. The support layer PLT may supportthe display panel DP. In addition, the display unit DD may have improvedheat dissipation performance by the support layer PLT.

A plurality of openings OP may be defined in an area of the supportlayer PLT corresponding to the folding area FAO. The flexibility of thesupport layer PLT may be improved by the openings OP. The sixth adhesivelayer AL6 may include a first portion AL6-1 and a second portion AL6-2spaced apart from the first portion AL6-1. As the sixth adhesive layerAL6 is not located in the area corresponding to the folding area FAO,the flexibility of the support layer PLT may be improved.

A protective layer BPL may be located on the bending area BA of thedisplay panel DP. The protective layer BPL may protect the bending areaBA of the display panel DP from the external impacts.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a display device 1000according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 5 is aperspective view showing a protective cover 300 according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

The display device 1000 may include the display unit DD. The displaydevice 1000 may include the display unit DD and the protective cover 300to protect the display unit DD. That is, the display device 1000 mayinclude the protective cover 300 to transfer the manufactured displayunit DD without defects in a process of manufacturing the electronicdevice ED.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the display device 1000 may include the displayunit DD, a first release film 100, a second release film 200, and theprotective cover 300. The display unit DD may include the window WM(refer to FIG. 2 ) and the display module DM (refer to FIG. 2 ).

The first release film 100 may be located above the display unit DD. Thesecond release film 200 may be located under the display unit DD. Thatis, the first release film 100 and the second release film 200 may coverupper and lower surfaces of the display unit DD, respectively. The uppersurface of the display unit DD may face the first release film 100, andthe lower surface of display unit DD may face the second release film200.

The protective cover 300 may be located under the second release film200. The protective cover 300 may be attached to the second release film200 and may support the display unit DD. As the protective cover 300covers the window WM including a thin film glass and the folding area FAof the display module DM, defects occurring when the display unit DD ofthe display device 1000 is transferred may be reduced. This is becausethe protective cover 300 blocks the external impacts and foreignsubstances.

FIG. 5 shows the protective cover 300 of FIG. 4 , which is turned upsidedown. The protective cover 300 may be a plastic member such aspolycarbonate. The protective cover 300 may be manufactured byconventional plastic molding methods, such as an extrusion molding andan injection molding. However, the material for the protective cover 300should not be limited thereto or thereby, and the protective cover 300may be a metal member or an organic/inorganic composite member.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , the protective cover 300 may include afirst cover portion 310, a second cover portion 320, and a plurality ofholding portions 330 a, 330 b, and 330 c.

The first cover portion 310 may cover the folding area FA and the firstnon-folding area NFA1 of the display module DM (refer to FIG. 2 ). Thesecond cover portion 320 may cover the second non-folding area NFA2 ofthe display module DM. The protective cover 300 may have a variety ofshapes depending on the injection molding. As shown in FIG. 5 , theprotective cover 300 may include protrusion portions formed on a flatplate. For example, the first cover portion 310 may be a flat platehaving a bar shape but may have protrusion portions protruded in athickness direction thereof. In some embodiments, the first coverportion 310 may include a plurality of grooves defined therein. In FIG.5 , the protrusion portions may increase a strength of the first coverportion 310 such that the first cover portion 310 is not bent.

The first cover portion 310 may include a first body portion 311, afirst portion 312, and a second portion 313. The first body portion 311may be connected to the second cover portion 320. The first body portion311 may be connected to the first portion 312 and the second portion313. The first portion 312 may extend in the second direction DR2 fromthe first body portion 311. The first portion 312 may have a bar shape.The second portion 313 may extend from the first body portion 311 to beperpendicular to the first portion 312 when viewed in a plane. That is,the second portion 313 may extend in the first direction DR1 crossingthe second direction DR2.

The second portion 313 may have a bar shape. The first portion 312 andthe second portion 313 may have substantially the same width as eachother. The width of the first body portion 311 may be greater than thewidth of each of the first portion 312 and the second portion 313. Insome embodiments, the first portion 312, the second portion 313, and thefirst body portion 311 may have substantially the same width. In someembodiments, the width of each of the first portion 312 and the secondportion 313 may be greater than the width of the first body portion 311.

An adhesive member ADH may be located on a surface of the second portion313, which faces the second release film 200. The adhesive member ADHmay attach the second portion 313 to the second release film 200. Thatis, the protective cover 300 may be fixed to the second release film 200by the adhesive member ADH. The second release film 200 may be fixed tothe first release film 100 by other adhesive members. This will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8A to 8D.

The second cover portion 320 may support the second non-folding areaNFA2. The second cover portion 320 may include a second body portion321, an arm portion 322, and a sidewall portion 323. The second bodyportion 321 may be connected to the first cover portion 310. The secondbody portion 321 may extend from the first body portion 311 of the firstcover portion 310. According to some embodiments, the second bodyportion 321 may be bent from the first cover portion 310. The secondbody portion 321 may be bent from the first cover portion 310 and may belocated farther away from the display unit DD in the third directionDR3. That is, the second cover portion 320 may be located farther fromthe display unit DD than the first cover portion 310.

The second body portion 321 may cover a portion of the secondnon-folding area NFA2. The arm portion 322 may extend in the firstdirection DR1 from the second body portion 321. The arm portion 322 mayextend in the first direction DR1 and in a direction opposite to thefirst direction DR1. The arm portion 322 may cover the bending area BA(refer to FIG. 3C). The sidewall portion 323 may extend from the armportion 322. The sidewall portion 323 may be located between the armportion 322 and a third holding portion 330 c. The sidewall portion 323may extend from the arm portion 322 to the third holding portion 330 calong the third direction DR3.

The holding portions 330 a, 330 b, and 330 c may extend from the firstand second cover portions 310 and 320 and may protrude outside thedisplay module DM. The outside of the display module DM may correspondto an area that does not overlap the display module DM when viewed in aplane.

The holding portions 330 a, 330 b, and 330 c may include a first holdingportion 330 a, a second holding portion 330 b, and the third holdingportion 330 c. The first holding portion 330 a may be coupled to thefirst portion 312 of the first cover portion 310. The second holdingportion 330 b may be coupled to the second portion 313 of the firstcover portion 310. The second holding portion 330 b may be provided inplural. The third holding portion 330 c may be coupled to the armportion 322 or the sidewall portion 323 of the second cover portion 320.

The holding portions 330 a, 330 b, and 330 c may be bent from the firstand second cover portions 310 and 320. That is, the holding portions 330a, 330 b, and 330 c may be located closer to the window WM (refer toFIG. 2 ) in the third direction DR3 than the first and second coverportions 310 and 320 are. For example, different from the first andsecond cover portions 310 and 320, the holding portions 330 a, 330 b,and 330 c may be located to be substantially parallel to the displayunit DD when viewed in a cross-section. That is, the holding portions330 a, 330 b, and 330 c may be bent from the first and second coverportions 310 and 320 in a direction toward the window WM.

The holding portions 330 a, 330 b, and 330 c may serve as a handle ofthe display device 1000. That is, the holding portions 330 a, 330 b, and330 c may correspond to the handle held by a transfer apparatus for thetransfer of the display device 1000 when the display device 1000 istransferred. For example, when the display device 1000 is transferred, avacuum adsorber may hold the holding portions 330 a, 330 b, and 330 c.The holding portions 330 a, 330 b, and 330 c may provide a flat plate tothe vacuum adsorber to allow the vacuum adsorber to adsorb and fix tothe holding portions 330 a, 330 b, and 330 c.

The sidewall portion 323 may cover the bending area BA (refer to FIG.3C) of the display module DM. The arm portions 322 may cover the bendingarea BA of the display unit DD at an upper direction of the display unitDD. The sidewall portion 323 may cover the bending area BA at a lateraldirection. That is, the sidewall portion 323 may protect all componentsof the display unit DD including the display panel DP (refer to FIG. 3C)that are located in the bending area BA from impacts applied thereto inthe lateral direction.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the display device 1000 according to someembodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is a rear view showingthe display device 1000 according to some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. That is, FIGS. 6 and 7 are front and rear views showing thedisplay device 1000 when viewed in the third direction DR3 (refer toFIG. 5 ) that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction DR1and the second direction DR2.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the display unit DD may be located betweenthe first release film 100 and the second release film 200. That is, thefirst release film 100 and the second release film 200 may respectivelycover the upper surface and the lower surface of the display unit DD. Inthis case, the upper surface of the display unit DD may be a surfacethat contacts the first release film 100, and the lower surface of thedisplay unit DD may be a surface that contacts the second release film200. The first release film 100 and the second release film 200 may beattached to each other by adhesive members. The adhesive members may belocated outside the display unit DD when viewed in a plane.

According to some embodiments, first adhesive members 42 a and 42 b maybe located at areas respectively adjacent to corresponding sides of thefirst holding portion 330 a. Each of the first release film 100 and thesecond release film 200 may have an area that is greater than an area ofthe display unit DD. In the first release film 100 and the secondrelease film 200, portions overlapping the display unit DD may protectthe display unit DD. In the first release film 100 and the secondrelease film 200, portions that do not overlap the display unit DD andare protruded to the outside more than the display unit DD in a planemay be attached to each other by the adhesive member. Portions of thefirst release film 100 and the second release film 200, which areprotruded to the outside of the display unit DD, may be attached to eachother by the first adhesive members 42 a and 42 b at the areasrespectively adjacent to the sides of the first holding portion 330 a.

According to some embodiments, the second adhesive members 44 a and 44 bmay be located between the portions of the first release film 100 andthe second release film 200 protruded outside the display unit DDbetween the second holding portions 330 b and the third holding portion330 c.

The first release film 100 may include a first handle portion 101. Thefirst handle portion 101 may correspond to an outermost portionprotruded from the first release film 100. The user may hold the firsthandle portion 101 and then may separate the first release film 100 fromthe display unit DD.

The second release film 200 may include the second handle portion 201.The second handle portion 201 may correspond to an outermost portionprotruded from the second release film 200. The user may hold the secondhandle portion 201, and then, may separate the second release film 200from the display unit DD.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , the second release film 200 may include afirst portion 210, a second portion 220, and a third portion 230. Thefirst portion 210 may overlap the first non-folding area NFA1 of thedisplay unit DD. The second portion 220 may overlap a portion of thesecond non-folding area NFA2 of the display unit DD. The first portion312 of the first cover portion 310 of the protective cover 300 may belocated on the first portion 210. The first body portion 311 of thefirst cover portion 310 and a portion of the second body portion 321 ofthe second cover portion 320 of the protective cover 300 may be locatedon the second portion 220. In addition, a portion of the arm portion 322may be located on the second portion 220. The arm portion 322 may bespaced apart from the second portion 220 in a thickness direction of thedisplay unit DD.

The third portion 230 of the second release film 200 may overlap thefolding area FA. The second portion 313 of the first cover portion 310may be located on the third portion 230. The second portion 313 of thefirst cover portion 310 may include an adhesive member. The adhesivemember may be attached to the third portion 230 of the second releasefilm 200. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8D.

The third portion 230 of the second release film 200 may be removed fromthe second release film 200 together with the protective cover 300. Acutting line CL may be defined between the first portion 210 and thethird portion 230 and between the second portion 220 and the thirdportion 230 of the second release film 200. The third portion 230 may beremoved from the second release film 200 due to the cutting line CL.

A portion of the display unit DD may be exposed through the secondportion 220 of the second release film 200. The second release film 200may expose a flexible circuit board 700 connected to the bending area BA(refer to FIG. 3C) of the display unit DD. An insulating tape 600 and aprotective tape 720 may be located on the flexible circuit board 700. Aportion of the protective tape 720 may overlap the second release film200. The insulating tape 600 may be located between the flexible circuitboard 700 and the protective cover 300. The protective cover 300 mayprotect the bending area BA and the portion of the flexible circuitboard 700 connected to the bending area BA from the external impacts.

FIGS. 8A to 8D are cross-sectional views showing the display device 1000according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 6 .FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of FIG. 6 .FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C′ of FIG. 7 .FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D′ of FIG. 7 .

Referring to FIG. 8A, the second release film 200 may be located on theprotective cover 300. When viewed in the cross-section taken along theline A-A′, the second release film 200 may not be in contact with theprotective cover 300 in the first direction DR1. The protective cover300 may cover the first release film 100, the second release film 200,and a side surface of the display unit DD in the first direction DR1.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the second adhesive member 44 a may connect thefirst release film 100 to the second release film 200. The secondadhesive member 44 a may have a thickness that is substantially the sameas a thickness of the display unit DD. The thickness may correspond to alength in the third direction DR3.

Referring to FIG. 8C, the protective cover 300 may be spaced apart fromthe display unit DD in the bending area BA, and in the first area AA1adjacent to the bending area BA. The first and second release films 100and 200 might not be located in the bending area BA. When the secondrelease film 200 is not located between the protective cover 300 and thedisplay unit DD, the protective cover 300 may be spaced apart from thedisplay unit DD by a predetermined width WD. That is, the protectivecover 300 might not be in contact with the display unit DD. According tosome embodiments, the protective layer BPL may be located on the bendingarea BA of the display panel DP. The flexible circuit board 700 may belocated on the protective layer BPL. The flexible circuit board 700 mayinclude an insulating layer 80 and a conductive layer 90. The insulatingtape 600 may be located on the conductive layer 90. The protective cover300 may be located to be spaced apart from the insulating tape 600 alongthe third direction DR3.

The protective cover 300 may protect the bending area BA of the displayunit DD from external impacts in the second direction DR2 and the thirddirection DR3. In FIGS. 8A to 8D, details of the display unit DD are thesame as those of the display unit DD shown in FIG. 3C.

Referring to FIG. 8D, the adhesive member ADH may be located between theprotective cover 300 and the second release film 200. The adhesivemember ADH may be located to overlap the folding area FA.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing a protective cover according toother embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 9B is a plan viewshowing a display device 1000-1 according to other embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a protective cover 300 according to someembodiments may include a connection portion 400 that connects aplurality of holding portions 330 a, 330 b and 330 c to each other. Ashape of the connection portion 400 should not be limited thereto orthereby and may have a variety of shapes connecting the holding portions330 a, 330 b, and 330 c to each other.

According to some embodiments, the connection portion 400 may beconnected to the holding portions 330 a, 330 b, and 330 c, or may beconnected to a portion of the cover portions. For example, a secondholding portion 330 b and a third holding portion 330 c might not bedirectly connected to each other. In this case, the second holdingportion 330 b may be connected to an arm portion 322 of a second coverportion to which the third holding portion 330 c is connected. Similarto the holding portions 330 a, 330 b, and 330 c, the connection portion400 might not overlap the folding area and the non-folding area in aplane, and may be located outside the display unit DD.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a transfer tray TR according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the transfer tray TR may hold and transfer thedisplay device 1000 including the display unit during the manufacturingprocess of the electronic device ED (refer to FIG. 2 ). The transfertray TR according to the present disclosure may include the first andsecond release films 100 and 200 that protect the display unit and aguide portion GDP corresponding to the shape of the protective cover300. The guide portion GDP may define a space to accommodate the displaydevice 1000 in the transfer tray TR.

According to some embodiments, the third holding portion 330 c of theprotective cover 300 may be provided with an opening 331 definedtherein. The third holding portion 330 c may fix the display device 1000to the transfer tray TR through the opening 331.

Although some embodiments of the present disclosure have been described,it is understood that the present disclosure should not be limited tothese exemplary embodiments but various changes and modifications can bemade by one ordinary skilled in the art within the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure as hereinafter claimed. Therefore, the disclosedsubject matter should not be limited to any of the embodiments describedherein, and the scope of the present disclosure shall be determinedaccording to the attached claims, with the functional equivalentsthereof to be included therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a window; a display module on a rear surface of the window, and comprising a folding area, and a non-folding area adjacent to the folding area; and a protective cover on a rear surface of the display module, and comprising: a cover portion configured to cover the folding area and the non-folding area of the display module; and holding portions extending away from the display module in a first direction, and in a second direction crossing the first direction, from the cover portion, and protruding outside the display module when viewed in a plane, the first direction and the second direction being substantially parallel with the rear surface of the display module, wherein each of the holding portions is provided in a shape of a flat plate that is parallel with the first and second directions.
 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the window comprises a thin film glass.
 3. The display device of claim 1, wherein the non-folding area comprises a first non-folding area and a second non-folding area, which are separated by the folding area, and wherein the cover portion comprises: a first cover portion configured to support the folding area and the first non-folding area of the display module; and a second cover portion configured to support the second non-folding area.
 4. The display device of claim 3, wherein the display module further comprises a non-bending area comprising the folding area and the non-folding area, and a bending area bent from the non-bending area, and wherein the second cover portion covers the bending area.
 5. The display device of claim 4, wherein the second cover portion comprises: a second body portion connected to the first cover portion, and configured to cover the second non-folding area; and an arm portion extending in a direction crossing the second body portion, and configured to cover a portion of the bending area.
 6. The display device of claim 5, wherein the second cover portion further comprises a sidewall portion extending from the arm portion, and configured to cover a remaining portion of the bending area.
 7. The display device of claim 5, wherein the holding portions comprise a third holding portion extending from the arm portion in a direction away from the second body portion.
 8. The display device of claim 3, wherein the first cover portion comprises: a first body portion connected to the second cover portion; a first portion extending from the first body portion in a direction away from the second cover portion; and a second portion extending from the first body portion in another direction crossing the direction.
 9. The display device of claim 8, wherein the first and second portions have a bar shape, and are perpendicular to each other when viewed in a plane.
 10. The display device of claim 8, wherein the second portion is configured to overlap the folding area.
 11. The display device of claim 8, wherein the holding portions comprise a first holding portion coupled to the first portion, and second holding portions coupled to the second portion.
 12. The display device of claim 1, wherein the holding portions are bent from the cover portion, and are configured to cover a portion of a side surface of the display module.
 13. A display device comprising: a folding area; a first non-folding area adjacent to the folding area; a second non-folding area adjacent to the folding area; a window; a display module on a rear surface of the window, and comprising a non-bending area, and a bending area bent from the non-bending area; a first release film on the window; a second release film under the display module; and a protective cover under the second release film, and comprising: a first cover portion configured to support the folding area and the first non-folding area of the display module; a second cover portion extending from the first cover portion, and configured to support the second non-folding area and the bending area of the display module; and holding portions respectively coupled to the first cover portion and the second cover portion.
 14. The display device of claim 13, further comprising adhesive members between the first and second release films, outside the display module, and configured to attach the first and second release films.
 15. The display device of claim 13, wherein the second release film comprises: a first portion overlapping the first non-folding area; a second portion overlapping the second non-folding area; and a third portion overlapping the folding area, and wherein the protective cover further comprises an adhesive member attached to the third portion.
 16. The display device of claim 15, wherein a cutting line is defined between the first portion and the third portion, and between the second portion and the third portion.
 17. The display device of claim 15, wherein the first cover portion comprises: a first portion on a lower surface of the first portion of the second release film, and extending in a first direction; and a second portion on a lower surface of the third portion of the second release film, extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, and comprising the adhesive member.
 18. The display device of claim 15, wherein the second portion exposes a portion of the second non-folding area and the bending area.
 19. The display device of claim 18, wherein the second cover portion covers the bending area and the portion of the exposed non-folding area, and is spaced apart from the display module in a thickness direction.
 20. A display device comprising: a window; a display module on a rear surface of the window, and comprising a folding area, and a non-folding area adjacent to the folding area; and a protective cover on a rear surface of the display module, and comprising: a cover portion covering the folding area and the non-folding area of the display module; and holding portions extending away from the display module in a first direction, and in a second direction crossing the first direction, from the cover portion, protruding outside the display module when viewed in a plane, and connected to each other outside the display module, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially parallel with the rear surface of the display module, wherein each of the holding portions is provided in a shape of a flat plate that is parallel with the first and second directions. 